Hi,
I´ve been reading two books on Yamaoka Tesshu, one written by John Stevens: "Sword of No Sword",
and lately a critical biography on Tesshu by Anatoly Anshin: "The Truth of the Ancient Ways". I find both books fascinating and I feel like reading more on the subject.
(I´m an aikidoka so I have no actual experience with traditional japanese sword practice)
It seems that most of what is published on the subject is in japanese. Does anyone know if there is more books, written material available in english on the subject ?

Any answers will be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Lars

Aaron McCloud

07-28-2012, 11:54 AM

Ken Zen Sho (http://www.kendo-world.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=40) looks to be a good one. I haven't read it myself, but it seems to be a collection of Tesshu's calligraphy with translations and short explanations.

I hope this helps!

Cheers,
Aaron

Don_Modesto

07-28-2012, 06:25 PM

With anything Stevens, caveat emptor--a sloppy thinker and writer.

Similarly, Suzuki has suffered some pretty harsh criticism (http://buddhiststudies.berkeley.edu/people/faculty/sharf/documents/Sharf1993,%20Zen%20Nationalism.pdf), but he also writes about Yamaoka in his Zen and Japanese culture.

lars beyer

07-29-2012, 03:09 AM

Ken Zen Sho (http://www.kendo-world.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=40) looks to be a good one. I haven't read it myself, but it seems to be a collection of Tesshu's calligraphy with translations and short explanations.

I hope this helps!

Cheers,
Aaron

Hi, it looks like a beautifull book..
Summer is soon over and christmas nearing.. hmmm.. can´t wait ! :)
Thanks a lot !

Cheers
Lars

lars beyer

07-29-2012, 03:26 AM

With anything Stevens, caveat emptor--a sloppy thinker and writer.

Similarly, Suzuki has suffered some pretty harsh criticism (http://buddhiststudies.berkeley.edu/people/faculty/sharf/documents/Sharf1993,%20Zen%20Nationalism.pdf), but he also writes about Yamaoka in his Zen and Japanese culture.

Hi, the two books I mention above are quite different. It seems Anatoliy is digging deep into the material.
I will have a look at Suzuki (is he called D.T. Suzuki ?)
Thanks a lot !

These are both well written books by accomplished practitioners and do a very good job of conveying a sense for what it means to belong to a ryu-ha.

I don't read anything by Stevens.
Hi, I´m happy to get a bit of guidance in this (for me) new and interresting field, I will take a closer look at those two books you recommend. Which one would be best to start with you feel ?
Best
Lars